Classic 10K organizers rethinking security for Middletown race

The Classic 10K road race officials are eager to discuss the prospect of tightening security for their event in wake of bombings at the Boston Marathon on Monday.

KEVIN GLEASON

The Classic 10K road race officials are eager to discuss the prospect of tightening security for their event in wake of bombings at the Boston Marathon on Monday.

Of particular concern are the grounds of Middletown High School, where the 10K run and Rowley 5K Race & Walk start and finish. Athletic director David Coates pointed out that the high school has relied on a handful of volunteers acting as security for The Classic, this year set for June 2.

"We may have to bulk up,'' Coates said. "It can happen at any given moment, so you have to plan for that.''

Coates planned to speak to Middletown Superintendent Kenneth Eastwood and race committee members. The school handles security on grounds. The races start on Gardner Avenue Extension and finish on the high school track after entering the facility off Cherry Street. All race-day festivities are inside the complex.

A potential hurdle could be managing the cost of a professional security team. As it is, volunteers make up the Classic security at Middletown High. "It's a volunteer day,'' Coates said.

Frank Giannino, one of The Classic race directors, called security along the courses "pretty tight.'' Giannino said state police coordinate through the Middletown Police Department to handle issues along the course such as traffic control. Fire police also chip in, Giannino said.

Giannino plans to discuss security with the race committee at an informal meeting on Monday, and again during a more formal get together on May 6. "We have to be concerned about this,'' Giannino said.

Meantime, Giannino, like so many others, was exasperated by the bombings. "I am beyond hurt,'' said Giannino, who is friends with Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray. "I'm just angry. It's bad. On a positive note, we have to keep our resolve and keep going with our lives, and not to let this thing tear us apart.''

***

Village of Montgomery resident Dan Leonard and daughter Shantelle, who lives in New York, witnessed the day after in Boston before leaving town on Tuesday.

"We took a walk this morning,'' Dan Leonard said Tuesday. "It was like the city was under military siege. On every corner was a cop or a state trooper. The National Guard was driving up and down the street.''

Dan had planned to meet Shantelle at the finish line of her 28th marathon. But the area was too crowded, so Dan walked about a quarter-mile to near the 26-mile mark.

"I was hanging with a couple guys talking when all of a sudden I heard a boom,'' he said. "A few seconds later, another explosion went off. A minute later, I saw state troopers running down the road.''

Dan joined in running with Shantelle when she arrived, but they made it only a couple hundred yards before being stopped. Now with the runners, Dan volunteered the use of his cell phone to help others make connections. But cell service was quickly shut down. Folks came from their homes nearby with water for runners and garbage bags to help warm them.

"It's one thing watching it unfold on TV,'' Dan said, "but when you are in the middle of it, it's surreal. They were all concerned about getting a hold of people that were waiting for them at the finish line. A lot of people were crying.''